adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Sables surrendered a 20-10 lead to suffer a disappointing 20-24 loss at the hands of Namibia in their second game of the World Cup qualifier in Antananarivo, Madagascar, yesterday.
It was a close game and Zimbabwe gave their all but it seemed at the end they were tired and could not hold on.
Despite the loss, Zimbabwe still have a chance of making it for the World Cup by finishing as the top side and if they can convincingly beat Kenya in the last assignment on Sunday.
Should they finish second on the table, the Sables would then proceed to the play-offs where they will take on Russia in Siberia. The winner of the game against Russia will go on to face the winner of the game between Uruguay and Hong Kong — a tougher route any of the sides would love to avoid.
The winner of the Africa Cup competition, will ultimately be decided on Super Sunday when Zimbabwe take on an undefeated Kenya in their final game while Namibia face hosts Madagascar in the other encounter.
Zimbabwe and Kenya are expected to play in the first game of the day, but under such conditions, it would only be fair if the Confederation of African Rugby make sure that both games kick-off simultaneously.
Reports from Madagascar indicate that Namibia came from behind to beat Zimbabwe, scoring 14 unanswered points in the second half to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.
Namibia drew first blood when flyhalf Theuns Kotze landed an early penalty before Zimbabwe responded with a try from fullback Tangai Nemadire which was converted by Guy Cronje.
A penalty try and Kotze’s conversion edged Namibia ahead again but their lead lasted all but a few minutes after Cronje kicked a penalty to level the scores at 10-10.
Stephen Hunduza crossed for a 34th minute try, converted by Cronje, who added a penalty shortly after the re-start to put Zimbabwe 10 points clear.
However two converted tries from back row duo, Renaldo Bothma and Rohan Kitshoff, saw Namibia to victory.
In the game between Kenya and Madagascar, lock Ronnie Mwenesi made a sensational return to the Kenya starting line-up after scoring a brace of first-half tries to help the Simbas record a second straight bonus-point win.
Mwenesi crossed in the 3rd and 20th minutes – either side of a try from second row partner Oliver Mangeni — as Kenya opened up a 17-0 lead inside the first quarter.
Centre Humphrey Kayange then raced home for the all-important fourth try before hooker Maxwell Adaka got in on the act as the half drew to a close with Kenya leading 27-0.
Both sides lost a man to the sin-bin 14 minutes into a scrappy third quarter before Kenya captain and flanker Andrew Amonde, the match winner against Namibia in round one, scored his second try in the space of four days.
Madagascar’s misery was completed moments later when replacement Saloniaina Anth Razafindratsimba was sent off by English referee Luke Pearce.
Results and Fixtures
Yesterday: Zimbabwe 20, Namibia 24; Madagascar 0, Kenya 34.
Saturday: Madagascar 22, Zimbabwe 57; Namibia 22, Kenya 29.
Sunday: Kenya v Zimbabwe, Madagascar v Namibia.
Online Reporter